I am thinking about moving back to Pakistan, Karachi to be precise. I have been offered a very good job with a decent salary (more than 1.5 lakh). Do you guys think its a good idea? I want my kids to know about Pakistan and our culture. We are US citizens. I have lived in Karachi when I was in high school and have been visiting every year. However, I have no experience of living there.
Any suggestions, inputs, feedback?
Re: Moving to Pakistan
I need serious suggestions and discussion please.
Do you have family in Karachi?
Do you have a house there to live in or will you be looking for one?
What type of lifestyle do you expect to have there (domestic help/driver/cook/security etc.) ?
Are your kids in school? Have you looked into schooling for them? Are they fluent in Urdu and would they be comfortable in school there?
The "load shedding" situation is about the worst it's ever been there in a while from what I hear from people in Karachi. Are you ready to handle that type of situation for yourself and family?
The overall security/ law and order situation is also a concern. Have you talked to your family about that? What precautions you should take etc.
Re: Moving to Pakistan
I would go, just for the experience...good or bad.
Thanks partyslims for your input.
Do you have family in Karachi?
Yes both my parents, couple of my siblings and in laws live in Karachi.
Do you have a house there to live in or will you be looking for one?
Parents and in laws have homes in Karachi but, I do not want to live with them so probably renting a place there at least initially.
What type of lifestyle do you expect to have there (domestic help/driver/cook/security etc.) ?
As I will be working full time So I would want/plan to have at least a driver, full time cook and a domestic help for random stuff.
Are your kids in school? Have you looked into schooling for them? Are they fluent in Urdu and would they be comfortable in school there?
Yes 2 of my older ones are in school (elementary) youngest goes to the daycare. So yes I will be looking for a school for them. I would like/want/hope that they go to Karachi Grammar. No they cannot speak urdu but, they do understand. I have no idea how comfortable they would be there.
The "load shedding" situation is about the worst it's ever been there in a while from what I hear from people in Karachi. Are you ready to handle that type of situation for yourself and family?
The overall security/ law and order situation is also a concern. Have you talked to your family about that? What precautions you should take etc.
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The plan is that I will move with the kids and hubby will stay here. I will give ourself 1 year to experience lifestyle and other stuff in Pak and if due to some factors we are unable to adjust then we will come back to US.
Re: Moving to Pakistan
Hey at least your brother in law wont be there. :)
Re: Moving to Pakistan
Ha ha ha ... Sara dear no such luck as he is also planning to move back once our plans are confirmed.
Re: Moving to Pakistan
bechari.
Re: Moving to Pakistan
Its a great Idea you may loose some things but you will gain a lot
Re: Moving to Pakistan
Well do not know whether I am a bechari or not but, atleast, there I will have my family as well so....
Its a great Idea you may loose some things but you will gain a lot
What do you think I will gain by going back. I have my own ideas about gaining lots of things but, I just want to know what is your idea of gaining.
Re: Moving to Pakistan
sounds like a good plan. as you said its for a year initially, good luck xx
Re: Moving to Pakistan
and 1.5 lakh, is fantastic, what job is it?
Karachi Grammar is an extremely hard school to get into. They have a huge waiting list and stringent interview process. Good luck to you if you go through with the move, but please make sure you have all your ducks lined up before you go through with it. I spent my high school years in karachi as well; it was a lot of fun, but then things weren't quite as volatile as they are now.
sounds like a good plan. as you said its for a year initially, good luck xx
Nadz123 I am a doctor. So will be teaching/researching Med students and I can earn more if I will do practice on the side.
Its a great Idea you may loose some things but you will gain a lot
gain what??
Karachi Grammar is an extremely hard school to get into. They have a huge waiting list and stringent interview process. Good luck to you if you go through with the move, but please make sure you have all your ducks lined up before you go through with it. I spent my high school years in karachi as well; it was a lot of fun, but then things weren't quite as volatile as they are now.
Very true!! I know its a hard school to get into. However, I have heard that they open admission for 3rd graders and also accept donations. However, I have no idea how true is all this information. Like I said I hope/want my kids to go to KGS but, whether it will be possible or not I do not know.
Its a good idea not to burn all your boats. You have a safety plan of going back in case things don't wok out.....so don't worry & get ready for an experience :)
Re: Moving to Pakistan
I think people who are determined to stay here no matter what would stay here regardless. You have to have great deal of patience because there are so many drawbacks just like any other place. But in the end, you would love the experience because it is so simple. Pakistan is still like a small town with innocent people which you really like because you do not find that in many 'developed' or advanced countries. Some aspects you would love. It's just in the air, the smell that you love.
But since you have kids, I suggest you send your family or come to live atleast for 6-12 months, get used to the system, the environment before finally moving back completely.
The plan is that I will move with the kids and hubby will stay here. I will give ourself 1 year to experience lifestyle and other stuff in Pak and if due to some factors we are unable to adjust then we will come back to US.
This part is a little dodgy, some ppl can handle it some cant, some kids can handle it some cant. we never had to deal with this scenario as kids, but some cousins did and it was tough for one parent to essentially be a single parent, the kids not to have their father around etc.